Five men have been arrested in a series of dawn anti-terror swoops in Birmingham.

Counter-terrorism officers swooped on five homes in the city shortly after 6am, a West Midlands Police spokesman said.

The arrests took place at five addresses in the Sparkhill, Ward End, Hodge Hill, Bordesley Green and Aston areas.

The men, aged between 29 and 36, were held on suspicion of being involved in the commission, preparation or instigation of an act of terrorism.

Police stressed that the raids were not in response to any immediate plot or any threat to the public.

“This action comes as a result of a long and complex investigation by the West Midlands Counter Terrorism Unit,” the spokesman said.

“It is not related to any immediate plot or threat to public safety and police are not currently seeking anyone else in relation to these arrests.”

As part of the investigation, two business properties were also searched.

The police spokesman said: "The properties are now being searched. As part of the investigation, a further residential address in Stechford and two business properties in central Birmingham and Kenilworth, Warwickshire, are also being searched.

"The families of the men are being supported by specially trained officers and key community leaders in the relevant areas have been contacted."